308 
THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE OF AMERICA. 
It is feasible to clip hedges into various geometrical 
shapes, but it is desirable to decide upon a form that is 
somewhat pyramidal, as this lessens danger of breakage 
by reason of snow in winter. 
Of all the plants that are used for hedges in this coun- 
try the most common is the California Privet (Ligustrum 
ovalifolium) . This result has been achieved by its cheap- 
ness, hardiness, freedom from insect and fungous pests, 
and its amenability to constant shearing makes it valu- 
able when a formal shaped hedge is desired. There are 
several other varieties of privet that can be used to ad- 
vantage. Among these are Ibota Privet (Ligustrum 
Ibota); Regel's Privet (L. Ibota Regelianum ), and the 
Amur River Privet (L. amurense). 
Aralia pentaphylla is a Japanese shrub of rapid growth. 
It has light green, palmate leaves which are very glossy, 
produced on gracefully arching stems. It lias the ad- 
vantage of growing well in poor soil and in shade. It is 
best if left to grow more or less naturally, merely pruning 
it sufficiently to keep the hedge in shape and from grow- 
ing too large. 
The Japanese Barberry (Berberis Thunbergii) is a 
somewhat more vigorous than D. gracilis is found to be. 
The Garland Syringa (Philadclphus coronarius) is 
valuable when a tall-growing, informal hedge is desired. 
This plant is well known and greatly admired for its 
sweet-scented white flowers, which are produced in great 
profusion. A smaller growing plant of the same genus 
is P. microphyllus, which is useful for forming a dwarf 
hedge. 
Many of the Roses are well adapted for the purpose 
of forming hedges. Probably the best \$ Rosa rugosa, 
the Japanese Rose. This plant possesses many admirable 
qualities. It is extremely hardy; it will grow in almost 
any situation and is not particular as to soil requirements. 
It has handsome, shining foliage, beautiful flowers, and 
large, red fruits, which persist until late fall and nearly 
winter. 
A beautiful, rather tall-growing hedge can be made by 
using various species and varieties of Lilac {Syringa). 
These plants are too well known to need any description. 
Van Houtt's Spiraea (Spiraea Van Houtti) is the 
most beautiful of the early blooming Spiraeas, and is 
highly recommended for an ornamental spring flowering 
hedge. 
The plants mentioned above are all more or less de- 
ciduous, and when one comes to consider the evergreen 
plants that are suitable for hedges, one has a somewhat 
more restricted field to choose from. 
The most ornamental evergreen hedge, when healthy 
and well grown, is thg> Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis). 
Unfortunately this is a rather capricious plant, and, al- 
though a native, it is sometimes difficult to get plants to 
grow satisfactorily. 
Probably the most successful evergreen hedge for this 
part of the country is the American Arborvitae ( Thuya 
occidcntalis). This plant and its varieties are excellent 
and stand shearing without resentment. If a low-grow- 
ing hedge is required, T. occidcntalis globosa may be 
planted. 
The White Spruce (Picca alba) is a good plant to use, 
especially if a large-growing hedge is needed. It re- 
quires careful pruning in order to have the hedge clothed 
to the bottom with foliage. 
The names of many other plants might be given which 
are suitable for the subject under discussion. It is hoped, 
however, that enough has been said to show that one need 
not be restricted, when planning for a hedge, to California 
Privet. — From Brooklyn Botanic Garden Bulletin. 
Althaeas Makes an Effective Late Summer Flowering Hedge. 
charming plant when a low hedge is required. It is ex- 
tremely hardy and does not need shearing 'to the extent 
that the privet does as it is naturally a compact plant. In 
fall the foliage colors beautifully, the bright red fruits 
persist all winter and the hedge presents a remarkably 
fine effect especially in spring when the buds are seen in 
conjunction with the fruits. 
The Common Barberry (Berberis vulgaris), or better 
still, the purple leaved form (B. vulgaris purpurea) is 
very suitable if a taller hedge is desired. It has not so 
dense a growth as the Japanese Barberry. 
The Scarlet Japanese Quince (Cydonia japonica) is 
worth considering by those who desire a hedge somewhat 
out of the common. It is not an ideal hedge plant, on 
account of its somewhat ungainly growth, but, with care- 
ful pruning, it can be made into a beautiful border. Its 
scarlet flowers are produced in spring before the leaves 
appear, and are very pleasing. 
Deutsia gracilis and D. hybrida Lcinoinei are valuable 
hedge plants which should not be sheared. They are 
both dwarf, but D. Lemoinci has larger flowers and is 
PRUNING OF THE EARLY FLOWERING 
SHRUBS. 
/^NE look at a Forsythia in full bloom ought to be 
^^^ quite enough to tell any one interested how it 
should be pruned, yet how many conscientiously take 
their shears, when they clip the privet hedge, go over the 
early flowering shrubs at the same time, and in about the 
same manner? 
It goes without saying that when planting these shrubs 
it is in order to prune as severely as necessary, to give 
the plants a chance to make a good start, but after that 
all pruning should be done without changing the natural 
shape of the bush. 
The rules are very simple, and if in doubt don't prune. 
Keep in mind, the growth which the plants make this 
summer carry the bloom for next spring. 
After flowering, if the bushes are too thick and over- 
grown, cut out the old branches as near as you can get 
to the ground, leaving the young and vigorous growth. 
Let the aim be that after pruning, the bush retains its 
natural shape which may be idealized a little, if you know 
your plant. 
